PORTLAND, Ore. — A quiet September afternoon in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood was shattered when police discovered three members of the same family dead inside their Southeast 64th Avenue home. Authorities have since confirmed the case as a tragic murder-suicide that has left relatives and neighbors in shock.
A Sudden Tragedy
On Saturday, September 6, some residents reported hearing what might have been gunshots around midday. Exactly who called 911 remains unclear, but when Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers arrived at 7324 S.E. 64th Avenue, just north of Flavel Drive, they found a grim scene: a man, a woman, and a young girl, all deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Neighbors watched in disbelief as police swarmed the normally quiet block.
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Neighbors React
“This is about three blocks from my home; a bunch of us walk our dogs down the street almost every day,” said local resident Karen Montez. She recalled that one of her neighbors had passed by the house around 4:45 p.m. and noticed nothing unusual — until emergency vehicles arrived about fifteen minutes later.
Montez described the family as well-regarded in the neighborhood. The house, once run-down, had been renovated in recent years. “Neighbors spoke highly of the family,” she said. “To find out that things like this are happening so close to home — well, it’s troubling. I won’t be going down that street, at least for the time being.”
Investigation Reveals Murder-Suicide
Two days later, on September 8, PPB homicide detectives shared their findings: a 22-year-old man had fatally shot his 48-year-old mother and 10-year-old sister before turning the gun on himself.
On September 11, authorities released the names of the deceased. The victims were identified as Maria Florencia Rubio, the mother who purchased the home in March 2022, and her daughter, Liliana Morgan. The shooter was identified as Rubio’s son, Miguel Morgan, who died by suicide after killing his mother and sister.
Family in Shock
The family’s grief is profound. Miguel’s and Liliana’s grandparents told KOIN-TV they remain stunned.
“Absolutely surprised by how this happened,” said their grandmother, Tonya Trutton. “He cherished his sister. You do feel like, ‘what did you miss? How did you not see this? What was he not sharing with us?’ And there’s just no answer.”
Trutton described Florencia as a devoted mother and a gifted photographer. “She’s given us a gift of many, many pictures that we will now hold very, very deeply in our hearts.”
She called Liliana “magic,” a young girl who loved cats and adventures with her dad. “Wherever she went, she was magic,” Trutton said. “The loss is deep. Very, very felt deeply for all of us.”
Motive Remains Unknown
Police have not identified a motive in the case. Investigators continue to review evidence and speak with those who knew the family, but so far, no explanation has emerged for what drove Miguel to commit such a violent act.
Authorities are encouraging the public to come forward with any information that could help explain the events leading up to the shootings. Those with details are asked to contact Detective William Winters (William.Winters@police.portlandoregon.gov) or Detective J.D. McGuire (Jeff.McGuire@police.portlandoregon.gov) and reference Case No. 25-245107.
A Community Grieves
The Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood, known for its mix of modest homes and close-knit feel, is still reeling. For many, the tragedy struck especially hard because the family appeared to embody the promise of stability and renewal.
“The house had been fixed up, the family seemed happy, and then something like this happens,” one neighbor said. “It makes you wonder what was really going on inside.”
A Lasting Impact
As detectives continue their work, family members and friends are left with memories of lives cut short. Florencia is remembered as a loving mother and creative spirit. Liliana, just 10 years old, is remembered as joyful and full of promise. And Miguel’s actions leave painful questions that may never have clear answers.
For now, relatives and neighbors alike are united in grief, seeking healing after one of Southeast Portland’s most devastating family tragedies in recent memory.
